Miami Herald: Fla. House panel discussing offshore drilling
Oct 21, 2009
The Miami Herald published this article on October 21, 2009
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A House panel is opening discussion of offshore drilling – what may be the hottest issue Florida lawmakers will face in next year’s regular legislative session.
The Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning is holding a workshop on that topic Wednesday.
The House in this year’s session passed a bill that would have opened Florida waters to oil and natural gas drilling as close as three miles from shore, but the Senate never took up the proposal.
Drilling advocates say it would generate millions of dollars for the state treasury. Opponents say it could ruin Florida’s beaches and the tourism industry they support.